Which one, which one?...

[Meadow64]

I am hoping for some suggestions on a new *birding* camera. This will be my first camera for birds, so I'm not quite sure where to start. want to try to keep the price to a minimum, and, if possible, at least a 10x optical zoom...

I know you're probably wondering how the heck I'm going to keep it at a minimum with my high standards, but the price tag shouldn't make my face peel when I see it, but about $400, or if I'm reeaaly going to push the envelope maybe... $500.

What I don't want is a camera packed with extra features like the Kodak EasyShare camera, because chanses are that it's going to be waay more expensive solely for all of the things that comes with it, that I'm never going to use. I want a camera with no fancy shmancy extras or anything that I'm not going to use.

Thank you in advance for all of the wonderful suggestions that I know will be provided!

Thanks in advance,
Meadow

[compa]

I am hoping for some suggestions on a new *birding* camera. This will be my first camera for birds, so I'm not quite sure where to start. want to try to keep the price to a minimum, and, if possible, at least a 10x optical zoom...

I know you're probably wondering how the heck I'm going to keep it at a minimum with my high standards, but the price tag shouldn't make my face peel when I see it, but about $400, or if I'm reeaaly going to push the envelope maybe... $500.

What I don't want is a camera packed with extra features like the Kodak EasyShare camera, because chanses are that it's going to be waay more expensive solely for all of the things that comes with it, that I'm never going to use. I want a camera with no fancy shmancy extras or anything that I'm not going to use.

Thank you in advance for all of the wonderful suggestions that I know will be provided!

Thanks in advance,
Meadow

I have had good luck with the Olympus Ultra Zoom series of cameras. I own the C-700 (10x) and the C-725 (8x). Despite the age of the 700, it continues to work perfectly.

The Ultra Zoom series do not work for digiscoping. I have a Nikon CP-5000 (3x) for that.

My camera of choice now is a Canon 20D, but the price of a DSLR plus lenses is well above your limits.

Whatever your final decision, try to select a pro-sumer level camera. One that gives you the option of manual control. You may find that, as you become more advanced in your photography skills, you will want that extra control. Also, if a histogram display is an option, go for it - it will help you spot those too dark and too light shots and allow you to retake them.

[hollis_f]

If you're going for a really big zoom like that then you really could do with a lens with Image Stabilisation. Something like the Panasonic FZ20K ($440) or the Canon S2 ($470) would probably suit your needs. Check them (and other possibilities) out on dpreview

[DOC]

For your budget i would say - Canon S2, Sony H1, Panasonic Fz20.
A little cheaper are the Konica Minolta Dimagez5, 6 ( also x12 zoom ) .
Also look at the fuji s5100 - etc - a very good camera - has a X10 zoom but no IS.
At those ranges of a X12 zoom - a Image stabilizer is very helpfull.

Here are a few examples from the Canon S2:

[joannec]

Hi, I have just bought the canon s2 IS and the 12x optical zoom with the image stabilization is pretty impressive but on maximum zoom it is best with a tripod, not surprisingly. It is pretty user friendly for a novice digital camera person as I am but there is alot on this camera that I will have to learn how to use. My previous camera was a pentax film slr. It is early days yet for me but so far it looks good. Shop around for prices, Amazon (uk) I found to be the cheapest.
Joanne